"NASA's High-Altitude Storm Study: Unveiling the Secrets of Lightning"

NASA flew a modified spy plane, the ER-2 aircraft, into thunderstorms to gather previously inaccessible data on lightning and severe weather. The month-long mission provided detailed observations of gamma-ray radiation emitted by thunderclouds, helping scientists understand the behavior of lightning and the energy fields surrounding thunderstorms. The data collected could improve predictions of when storms may turn severe, enhancing public safety. The ER-2 aircraft, capable of flying at 60,000 feet, was equipped with instruments to measure gamma rays while flying close to thunderclouds. The research was part of the ALOFT project, aiming to study terrestrial gamma-ray flashes and glows in thunderclouds.